F R I D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 1 , 2 0 0 9

G AT E W AY T O T H E A I R F O R C E • L A C K L A N D A I R F O R C E B A S E , T E X A S • w w w. l a c k l a n d . a f . m i l • V o l . 6 7 N o . 3 4

INSIDECommentary 4

Straight Talk 5

Recognition 6

News & Features

Military vaccinations 3

9/11 Memories 12

Gateway golf title 19

AF marathon team 20

View the Talespinner onlineat www.lackland.af.mil

By Mike JosephStaff Writer

A food tasting eventTuesday begins HispanicHeritage Month activitiesaround Lackland for thenext 30 days.

The tasting, 11 a.m. to1 p.m. at Arnold Hall, willfeature home cooked foodfrom different Hispaniccultures. In addition to thefood, the Semeneya Ball-room Dance Company willmake a cultural dancepresentation; other groupsalso plan folklore dances.

“We’ve gotten volun-teers from throughout thebase to cook somethingand bring it to the tast-ing,” said Master Sgt.Jaime Santiago, a memberof the Hispanic Heritagecommittee. “They will bebringing food from theircountry or culture.”

The Inter-American AirForces Academy is thelead for Hispanic HeritageMonth. El Salvador AirForce Capt. FernandoCastaneda, a guest in-structor at IAAFA, andcommittee chairman, isexcited by what has beenplanned with the aid ofmany base units.

“It’s my first time toexperience it, and to berunning it is a thrill forme,” said Captain Castan-eda. “It’s always great to

learn new things and seeall the people on basereally interested. It’s anopportunity to celebrateHispanic heritage and cul-ture.”

Other highlights for themonth are Hispanic thememeals at the Wilford HallMedical Center diningfacility Sept. 18, and allLackland dining facilitiesSept. 23; a Hispanic her-itage-themed 5K run onSept. 30; a luncheon Oct. 1featuring retired ArmyMaj. Gen. Alfred Valen-zuela; a dance, NocheTropical, Oct. 3; andIAAFA guest instructorsspeaking to three differentLackland ElementarySchool grades Oct. 13-15.

Admission to eachHispanic Heritage Monthactivity is free and open toall members of TeamLackland.

“This country is greatbecause of the diversity ofcultures here,” said Cap-tain Castaneda. “I’m hav-ing fun chairing this com-mittee, and I think itbroadens my education.”

Sergeant Santiago ad-ded, “The good thingabout the captain doingthis is he gets to see howmuch pride Americanshave in their culture.That’s something he cantake back and add to theEl Salvadorian Air Force.”

HELLO DOWN THERE

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr.Tech. Sgt. Antonio Turner, 380th Expeditionary Communication Squadron, climbs atower to clean communications equipment Aug. 26. Sergeant Turner is deployed toSouthwest Asia from Lackland’s 37th Communications Squadron.

Food tasting event beginsHispanic Heritage Month

TALESPINNERPAGE 2 SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

WASHINGTON (AFNS) – Gen.Carroll H. “Howie” Chandler isthe new vice chief of staff of theAir Force, succeeding Gen.Douglas M. Fraser III, who hasheld the position since October2008.

General Chandler comes to thePentagon after two years of serv-ice as commander of Pacific AirForces, Air Component Comm-ander for U.S. Pacific Command,and Executive Director, PacificAir Combat Operations Staff,Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

The vice chief of staff “assiststhe chief of staff with organizing,training, and equipping of

680,000 active-duty, Guard,Reserve and civilian forces serv-ing in the United States and over-seas,” according to his biography.General Chandler also “presidesover the Air Staff and serves as amember of the Joint Chiefs ofStaff Requirements OversightCouncil and Deputy AdvisoryWorking Group.”

General Chandler is a 1974graduate of the U.S. Air ForceAcademy and has commanded amajor command, numbered airforce, two fighter wings, a sup-port group and a fighter squad-ron. His staff assignments includetours at Headquarters Pacific Air

Forces, the Pentagon, Headquar-ters U.S. Pacific Command,Headquarters U.S. Military Train-ing Mission in Saudi Arabia andHeadquarters Allied Air ForcesSouthern Europe.

The general is a commandpilot with more than 3,900 flyinghours, principally in fighter air-craft.

He has received numerousawards for his military serviceincluding the Defense Distin-guished Service Medal, theDistinguished Service Medal,Defense Superior Service Medalwith oak leaf cluster and theLegion of Merit.

New vice chief of staff takes officeReminder!Talking on a cell phone whiledriving on base is prohibited.

PAGE 3TALESPINNERSEPTEMBER 11, 2009

TALENT SHOW AUDITIONS

Our Part of Town talent show audi-tions are Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon, atthe Bob Hope Performing Arts Theater.Arnold Hall Community Center is partner-ing with the San Antonio Parks andRecreation Department to host the audi-tions and the show.

The auditions are open to active-dutymilitary, including Reserve and NationalGuard.

Lackland contestants chosen willcompete at the military Our Part of Townshow, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., at the CarverCommunity Center. The grand prize is$1,000.

AIR FORCE DRILL TEAM EXPO

The Air Force Drill Team performsSept. 18, 11:45 a.m., at the BMT Recep-tion Center retreat pad. Performances areopen to all Lackland personnel and fami-ly members.

BONE MARROW REGISTRY DRIVE

A bone marrow registry drive byWilford Hall Medical Center is Thursday,9 a.m.-3 p.m., in the hospital’s atrium.

Eligible volunteers include all active-duty members and their dependents,Coast Guard, Guard, Reserve andDepartment of Defense civilians, ages 18to 60 and in good health. A check swaband forms are required to register.

For more information, call JohnDeChavez at 292-7080.

BASE RAMADAN OBSERVANCES

Ramadan observances will be helddaily at sunset through Sept. 19 at theDefense Language Institute student cen-ter, Bldg. 7452.

Ramadan is the Islamic month offasting. The feast is applicable to allMuslims who have reached the age ofpuberty. The fast begins daily at dawnand continues until sunset.

The program includes breaking offast, congregational prayers, lecturesand nightly prayer.

For more information, contactChaplain (Capt.) Sharior Rahman at792-5106.

NewsBBRRIIEEFFSS

TAKE THAT, DUMMY!

Photo by Senior Airman Nicole RobertsTrainees from the 326th Training Squadron demonstrate different hand-to-hand combat techniques on a dummy during combat skillstraining. Trainees are familiarized with combat maneuvers during basic military training to better prepare them for future deployments.

By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (AFNS) – All militarypersonnel will be vaccinated againstthe H1N1 flu virus, and the vaccine willbe available to all military family mem-bers who want it, a Defense Depart-ment health affairs official said.

The H1N1 vaccination program willbegin in early October, said Army Lt.Col. (Dr.) Wayne Hachey, the director ofpreventive medicine for DefenseDepartment health affairs.

The vaccine, which has beenlicensed by the Food and DrugAdministration, will be mandatory foruniformed personnel, the colonel said.

“What we want to do is target thosepeople who are at highest risk fortransmission,” he said.

Health-care workers, deployingtroops, those serving on ships and sub-marines, and new accessions are at thetop of the list.

“Any place where we take a lot of

people, squash them all together andget them nice and close and put themunder stressful conditions will get thevaccine first,” he said.

DOD officials will use the usual sea-sonal flu vaccine distribution chain forthe H1N1, Doctor Hachey said, notingthat while the mass H1N1 vaccinationsare new to the general population, theprocess for vaccinating against season-al flu is old hat for DOD.

“We’ve been doing this for decades,”the colonel said. “The system is triedand true.”

DOD initially will receive 1 milliondoses of the H1N1 vaccine, and anoth-er 1.7 million doses later in October.

Officials don’t know yet whetherpeople will need one dose or two,Doctor Hachey said.

“The assumption right now is thatpeople will need two doses, 21 daysapart,” he said. “That may change.”

FDA officials still are studying H1N1and the vaccine, and the results shouldbe known by the end of the month.

Seasonal flu vaccine already is avail-able, and DOD officials will begin giv-ing those shots shortly, Doctor Hacheysaid.

“That has been our message toimmunizers: to try and get as manypeople as they can immunized againstthe seasonal flu early,” he said.

Guidelines for giving priority to fam-ily members will follow those for thegeneral population, Doctor Hacheysaid. The Department of Health andHuman Services is buying millions ofdoses of the vaccine.

“Installations are going to registerwith each state as an immunizer,”Doctor Hachey said. “They will tell howmany people they care for. Thisincludes dependents, retirees and soon.”

The Centers for Disease Control staffwill place the order and will ship thevaccine where needed. Family mem-bers will have multiple opportunities to

Defense Department to start H1N1 flu vaccinations

See H1N1 P15

TALESPINNERPAGE 4 SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

COMMENTARY

Editorial staffCOL. WILLIAM H. MOTT V,37TH TRAINING WINGCOMMANDER

JOE BELA,CHIEF OF INTERNALCOMMUNICATIONS, 671-4111

SHANNON CARABAJAL,MANAGING EDITOR, 671-1786

MIKE JOSEPH,STAFF WRITER, 671-4357

PATRICK DESMOND,SPORTS EDITOR/STAFF WRITER,671-5049

PAUL NOVAK,DESIGN/LAYOUT, 671-0478

Office:1701 Kenly Ave. Suite 102Lackland AFB, Texas 78236-5103(210) 671-1786;(fax) 671-2022E-mail: talespinner@lackland.af.milCommander’s Action Line:actionline@lackland. af.mil.Straight Talk: 671-6397 (NEWS)For advertising information:Prime Time Military Newspapers2203 S. HackberrySan Antonio, Texas 78210(210) 534-8848(fax) 534-7134

This newspaper is published byPrime Time Military Newspapers, aprivate firm in no way connected withthe U.S. Air Force, under exclusivewritten contract with Lackland AFB,Texas. This commercial enterprise AirForce newspaper is an authorizedpublication for members of the U.S.military services. Contents of theTalespinner are not necessarily theofficial views of, or endorsed by, theU.S. government, the Department ofDefense, or the Department of the AirForce.

The appearance of advertising inthis publication, including inserts orsupplements, does not constituteendorsement by the Department ofDefense, the Department of the AirForce or Prime Time MilitaryNewspapers, of the products or servicesadvertised.

Everything advertised in thispublication shall be made available forpurchase, use or patronage withoutregard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, marital status,physical handicap, political affiliation,or any other nonmerit factor of thepurchaser, user or patron.

Editorial content is edited,prepared and provided by the PublicAffairs Office of the 37th Training Wing.All photos, unless otherwise indicated,are U.S. Air Force photos.

Deadline for submissions isnoon Thursday the week prior topublication.

By Gen. Stephen LorenzAir Education and Training Command commander

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE – I am adigital immigrant. You see, in the summerof 1972, as a senior at the Air ForceAcademy, I spent $125 on a small “per-sonal computer.” At roughly $650 intoday’s dollars, the small unit was able todo four things: add, subtract, multiplyand divide. It was a cutting edge ... calcu-lator. Although we were only permitted touse it while checking our work, it was,essentially, my introduction to the worldof computing.

Today, we cannot accomplish our mis-sion without technology and computing.Unlike me, those entering the Air Forcetoday are digital natives.

These natives don’t remember a timewhen green military ID cards rarely leftyour wallet, the Military Personnel Flightwasn’t virtual and blackberries were justa seasonal fruit. This got me wondering.Has our leadership style adapted to takefull advantage of the technology throughthe years? Has technology improved aleader’s ability to make a difference?

Let’s start by looking at how technologyhas changed the workplace. Beyond themost noticeable and tangible aspects, likee-mail, PowerPoint and cell phones, I con-tend that technology has transformed theworkplace in three main areas: collabora-tion, automation and personal accessibili-ty.

Collaboration includes our ability tonetwork, collect and share information.Getting the right information to the rightpeople when they need it isn’t always aseasy as it sounds. After all, accurateinformation is a key element in makingobjective decisions, and objectivity iswhat keeps our organizations headed inthe best direction. Today’s challenge,however, is managing the sheer volume ofavailable information. Technological

advancements will only make thischallenge greater in years to come.

By automation, I’m talkingabout technology’s impact on thetasks we do each and every day.Historically, automation has beenone of the enablers for doing morewith less. Our most expensive assetis our people. Technology gives usthe ability to energize certain effi-ciencies by replacing manpowerwith technology. Maintaining the balanceof technology and manpower will onlycontinue to be a daily leadership chal-lenge.

Lastly, accessibility applies to our abili-ty to contact anyone, anywhere, anytimethrough voice and data communication.There are two key aspects of accessibility:how leaders make themselves available toothers, and how you, as a leader, takeadvantage of the availability of others. Itis important that commanders, whilemaking themselves available at all hoursof the day, don’t foster an environmentwhere subordinates are afraid to get deci-sions from anywhere but the top. At thesame time, leaders must guard againstexploiting the availability of others, espe-cially subordinates. Such exploitation willonly reinforce to subordinates that deci-sions can only come from the top.

Accessibility has also changed how wemake ourselves available to others. Manycommanders like to say that they have anopen door policy. Don’t fool yourself intothinking that issues will always walkthrough the open door. Leaders still needto escape the electronic accessibility,namely e-mail, and seek human interac-tion.

A new Airman in the squadron isn’tgoing to raise a concern by walking into acommander’s office, but might if the com-mander is able to interact in their workenvironment. Leadership by walkingaround will always be a positive leader-

ship principle. I like to think that there are

three kinds of people when deal-ing with technology: pessimists,optimists and realists. The tech-nology pessimists are those peoplewho resist any change due toimproved technologies.Technology optimists jump at theearliest opportunity to implementany technological advancement.

The last category, the technology realist,makes up the lion share of us all. Therealist accepts that change is necessaryand works to integrate improvements, butdoesn’t continually search for and imple-ment emerging technology.

Our organizations need all three tech-nology types in order to run smoothly. Itis incumbent upon each of us to under-stand what kind of technologist we, andthose we work around, are.

This is simply another medium whereone size won’t fit all. The leaders mustadapt their style depending on who theydeal with and the nature of the task to beperformed. The pessimist might not hearthe things communicated electronically.By the same token, resist the temptationto send all correspondence electronicallyto the optimists, even though theirresponse might be back within seconds.Always push for the personal touch andrealize that your approach will be differ-ent for each person.

In essence, leadership is the challengeof inspiring the people in an organizationon a goal-oriented journey. Technologyenables that journey and we, as leaders,must successfully manage both the bene-fits and detriments of that evolution.Ultimately, the leaders are still responsi-ble for themselves, their people and theresults of their units. It’s how they canmake a difference in both the lives oftheir people and in the unit’s mission. It’sone thing technology will never change.

Lorenz on Leadership

Technological change

General StephenLorenz

To report Fraud, Waste & Abuse matters or if you have a concern and are unsure if you should filea complaint, contact the 37 TRW/IG Office at 671-3347 or e-mail to 37trw.ig@lackland.af.mil.

PAGE 5TALESPINNERSEPTEMBER 11, 2009

TALK

STRAIGHT

By Patrick DesmondStaff Writer

Where were you onSept. 11, 2001?

Love your job in the Air Force?Want to share your personal experiences in the military with others?

The Lackland Speakers’ Bureau wants YOU!Call 671-5066 or 671-2907 for more details.

I was in JROTC in high schoolat the time. I remember wewere practicing for a competi-tion and I saw people cryingwhen I came into school. Wehad to report to our classroomand our instructor had the TVon; we were watching the news.– Senior Airman Tomas Perez-Vega,37th Security Forces Squadron.

I was a C-5 loadmaster at DoverAFB, Del., sitting in missioncontrol because I was a sched-uler for that week. Being in theaircrew, we got put on alphaand bravo alerts. That day was a17-hour workday. It was my jobto schedule and get crewsready. – Tech. Sgt. Shawn Malcolm,344th Training Squadron.

I was stationed at Lackland andmy husband woke me up andtold me planes were hitting theTowers. I expected to be (calledin). I got my uniform ready justin case so that maybe I coulddo something. – Tech. Sgt. JeanBrooks, 59th Medical InpatientSquadron.

I was taking college classes andwas away from base and I gotcalled in as soon as the planeshit. I was stationed up in D.C.at Fort George G. Meade, Md. –Senior Airman Sarek Cortez, 273rdInformation Operations Squadron.

Congratulations to the following73 Airmen for being selected ashonor graduates among 744trainees graduating today:

320th Training SquadronFlight 607Kevin ChristensenDaniel GagnierJimmy HendraDavid HumphreysMatthew MohrenweiserNicholas OlivaresMatthew RuchieFlight 608Brian BrozanskiMichael CornellRaymond PendergraphCharles RigganErik Sackett

321st Training SquadronFlight 613Cameron BursonJordan LynchEthan MaceGeorge Moore

Ian VanvrankenChristopher VoglFlight 614Lyza LacsinaJennifer Lauer

322nd Training SquadronFlight 611Damian BoggsDrake DorsettMichael PilbinPatrick Wagner-RuchAdrian WampnerFlight 612Bobby CashRon CatapMark CauseyRichard JensenNathan MurphyDavid OlsonJoshua RoosaBryan SmithGilberto SuarezJoseph Thomson

323rd Training SquadronFlight 603

Jarrad LathropFlight 604Aaron ArcherJesse BowmanRyan Kiechle

324th Training SquadronFlight 601Dylan BrownCullen BurkeStephen ClarkAaron FischerMatthew GipsNikolas GonzalesDaniel HaynesErvin LongJohn MarinangeliJeremy MosleyNathaniel PattenPhilip PostFlight 602Randall CooperBenjamin LedbetterDwight ManganaroShawn RayRyan ScottMichael Stella

326th Training SquadronFlight 605Randall ForsytheSascha KlingenbergPatrick ShinodaFlight 606Darrah BjorklundStephanie CarpenterJulie DarroughEmily DesalleErica ElliottCharissa ErcolinWhitney HandeganDanielle LawrenceDanielle RiveraJennifer SchraderAllison Smith

331st Training SquadronFlight 609Jordan MunozFlight 610Melissa Lowe

Top BMT AirmanDwight Manganaro, 324th TRS,Flight 602

Most Physically FitMale AirmenBrad Wiebelhaus, 322nd TRS,Flight 611Travis Hendell, 324th TRS, Flight602Female AirmenKristin Hodge, 326th TRS, Flight606Janika Pegram, 331st TRS, Flight610

Top PT FlightsMale Flights324th TRS, Flight 601324th TRS, Flight 602Female Flights326th TRS, Flight 606331st TRS, Flight 610

Top Academic Flights326th TRS, Flight 606324th TRS, Flight 601

TALESPINNERPAGE 6 SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

BMT HONORS

Congratulations to the following recipi-ents of the Team Lackland First

Sergeant’s Diamond Sharp award forAugust:

59th Medical Operations SquadronStaff Sgt. Leslie Hernandez

59th Aerospace Medicine SquadronAirman 1st Class Darcee Chavez

345th Training SquadronStaff Sgt. Melinda Padilla

37th Comptroller SquadronAirman 1st Class Elizabeth Bramley

Staff Sgt. Jamie Reilly

Airmen earnDiamond Sharp

Airmen earnWingman Awards

The Team Lackland Wingman Award recog-nizes Airmen each month who have gone

above and beyond taking care of their fellowAirmen. Congratulations to the August

Wingman Award winners:

37th Medical GroupSenior Airman Michael Davis

37th Logistics Readiness SquadronAnn Chandler Thelma Mata

Band of the WestTech. Sgt. Ken Drefke

Tech. Sgt. Rosemary Castillo Sartin Senior Airman Brian Johnson

Lt. Col. Judy Gavin: 59th TrainingSquadronDate assumed command: Sept. 4Previous assignment: Deputy Comman-der, Chief Nurse Executive and Chief ofProfessional Education and Training, 30thMedical Group, Vandenberg Air ForceBase, Calif.Time in Service: 15 yearsFamily: Husband, retired Lt. Col. BarnieGavin, and three sonsHobbies: Cooking, camping, and fishingWhy the squadron is important to the

Air Force mission: The 59th TRS educates and trains offi-cer and enlisted members in 18 Air Force specialty codes,including chaplain, nursing and allied health career fields.The squadron graduates 457 personnel each year, cultivat-ing the AF culture by reinforcing military standards anddiscipline. Executing an annual budget of $286 thousand,the squadron is the largest of 15 Air Force clinical sitesand prepares students for increased responsibilities ascompetent ethical medics who provide quality health carein garrison and global operations.Command philosophy: To always take of care of our num-ber one asset – the people – and to ensure the Air Forcecore values are always in the forefront of what we do atwork, home and play.Goals for new position: Ensure we continue to provide thebest training for our officer and enlisted medical personnelas we integrate into a joint training environment.

Lt. Col.Judy Gavin

59th TRS welcomesnew commander

PAGE 7TALESPINNERSEPTEMBER 11, 2009

MILITARY JUSTICE SPOTLIGHTThe 37th Training Wing Office of the

Staff Judge Advocate administered the fol-lowing judgments from Aug. 26 to Sept. 1:

• An airman first class from the 343rdTraining Squadron violated Article 92(dereliction of duty) and received a reduc-tion to airman (suspended), forfeitures of$366 in pay for one month and 14 daysextra duty.

• A technical sergeant from the 322ndTraining Squadron violated Article 92(dereliction of duty) and received a reduc-tion to staff sergeant (suspended), forfei-tures of $1,405 for one month and a repri-mand.

• An airman first class from the 59thSurgical Inpatient Squadron violatedArticle 87 (missing movement) andreceived a reduction to airman basic, 14

days restricted to base and a reprimand.• An airman basic from the 343rd TRS

violated Article 92 (dereliction of duty) andreceived forfeitures of $302 for one month.

• An airman basic from the 343rd TRSviolated Article 92 (dereliction of duty) andreceived forfeitures of $326 for one monthand 14 days extra duties.

• An airman first class from the 344thTraining Squadron violated Article 92(dereliction of duty) and received forfei-tures of $384 for one month, 14 daysrestricted to base, 14 days extra duty (sus-pended) and a reprimand.

Mandatory Uniform Code of MilitaryJustice briefings for second-term re-enlis-tees are conducted on a walk-in basis inthe 37th TRW headquarters courtroom.

For more information, call 671-2007.

JOGGING RULESOF THE ROAD:

Wearing portable headphones,earphones, or other listening

devices while operating amotor vehicle, running,

jogging, walking, bicycling,or skating on Lackland

roadways and sidewalks isPROHIBITED.

TALESPINNERPAGE 8 SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

By Tech. Sgt. M. Erick ReynoldsAir Force ISR Agency/Public Affairs

The Air Force Intelligence, Surveil-lance and Reconnaissance Agency rec-ognized two of its enlisted membersAug. 31 when Brig. Gen. John Stauffer,vice commander, presented twoBronze Star Medals and an Air ForceCombat Action Medal, all earned whilesupporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Master Sgt. Angela Hanck, AirForce ISR Agency computer operationstraining superintendent, was awardedthe Bronze Star Medal for her actionswhile assigned to the Multi-NationalDivision-Baghdad, NCO in charge.

While she was deployed, SergeantHanck supported more than 400 com-bat operations resulting in the captureof 711 insurgents with 171 being highvalue individuals.

General Stauffer presented Ser-geant Hanck’s medal using her father’sBronze Star, which was awarded tohim during the Vietnam conflict.

“It was a real thrill to be awardedmy dad’s Bronze Star he received 40

years ago,” said Sergeant Hanck. “Myfather had a lot of influence on mydecision on joining the Air Force,which made this so special.”

During the ceremonySenior Airman CharlesCombs was also pre-sented both theBronze Star andthe Air ForceCombat ActionMedal.

A i r m a nCombs earnedthe Bronze Starfor guiding histeam on 41 com-bat missions thatresulted in the cap-ture of more than 45insurgents, including ahigh value individual whohad assassinated numerous Iraqiofficials and was in charge of multipleimprovised explosive device cellsthroughout the area.

According to the narrative pagereport for his Bronze Star recommen-

dation, “Senior Airman Combs farexceeded all expectations and quicklybecame a valuable asset to the teamshe led. His tireless efforts to accom-

plish the mission were inspi-rational to all those he

worked with.”Out of all the

accomplishmentsduring his deploy-ment, the Air-man said thehighlight of histime while ass-igned to Multi-National Div-

i s i on-Baghdadwas whenever

they completed asuccessful mission

capturing HVIs andeveryone returned safely.

Airman Combs was also award-ed an Air Force Combat Action Medalfor his actions while deployed inSeptember 2008. While on a mission,his team came under enemy fire.

He disregarded his own safety to

secure the detainee his team had cap-tured and ensured mission success.

“I am really honored to have beenawarded these decorations,” saidAirman Combs. “However, I reallyhave to thank the 1-66th ArmoredRegiment, Scout Sniper platoon, FortHood. They really took great care ofme and my team.”

General Stauffer summed up thesignificance of the award presentation.

“This is a pretty big deal to presenttwo Bronze Star Medals in one day,”said the general.

“It’s not something we get to dovery often. Some people don’t ever getto see a Bronze Star presented ...today we saw two presented, and anAir Force Combat Action Medal.

“It has been my honor and privilegeto officiate today’s ceremony,” he con-tinued.

The Bronze Star Medal was estab-lished in February 1944 and wasdesigned to be awarded to groundtroops involved in and supportingground operations during a time ofwar or conflict.

ISR Agency warriors earn Bronze Stars and Combat Action Medal

PAGE 9TALESPINNERSEPTEMBER 11, 2009

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE – Air ForcePersonnel Center officials revamped the VoluntaryAssignments Base of Preference Program to alloweligible enlisted members to initiate requests online.

Air Force members from the rank of E-8 andbelow can now apply for permanent change of sta-tion BOP, in-place BOP, or both through the virtualMilitary Personnel Flight Web site.

Senior Master Sgt. Vaughn Gibson, the PersonnelServices Delivery Career Development andReadiness superintendent at AFPC, said the newprogram will affect about 10,000 Airmen worldwideby providing a re-enlistment incentive for first-termAirmen and allowing career Airmen to continuetheir careers.

According to Sergeant Gibson, the streamlinedprocess will use the vMPF Web site to perform a pre-liminary check of an Airman’s eligibility prior totheir submission and automatically update their sta-tus in the Military Personnel Data System. Base-levelmilitary personnel sections will receive guidance andtraining on the new process to assist unit memberswith answering general questions.

The Total Force Service Center in San Antoniowill be primarily responsible with assisting memberswith extenuating circumstances accessing vMPF,determining their eligibility requirements and mak-

ing updates to their information in MilPDS.After Airmen make their requests through vMPF,

AFPC will process their applications and notify mem-bers when a decision is made on approving or disap-proving their requests. Airmen should allow up tosix weeks for AFPC to process their requests.

There are several factors that determine anAirman’s eligibility, which are outlined in Air ForceInstructions 36-2110 and 36-2626. Eligibilityrequirements include:

1. A member must have or obtain 24 monthsretainability within 30 days of receiving the BOPapproval notification.

2. Consecutive BOPs in any combination are notauthorized. For example, a first-term Airman whoreceives an in-place BOP cannot then receive acareer Airman PCS BOP. There must be an interven-ing PCS.

3. A Continental United States to overseas, over-seas to CONUS and overseas (except for first-termAirmen), and overseas to overseas BOPs are notauthorized.

There are no limits on the number of BOP appli-cations members can submit. However, if the requestis disapproved and a member remains eligible, themember may immediately resubmit an applicationfor different location(s) or wait six months from the

date of disapproval to submit an application for thesame location(s).

The AFPC Enlisted Assignments Team is theapproval/ disapproval authority.

Once a member has volunteered for a BOP, hecannot volunteer for another voluntary assignmentprogram until the current BOP application has beenapproved or disapproved by AFPC/DPAA, or themember withdraws the BOP application.

Once submitted, BOP applications cannot bechanged. If a member desires to change his BOPpreference order or location, he must use the “with-draw/cancel voluntary assignment application”option in vMPF. Members may then submit a newBOP application with updated preferences.

The online BOP application process is just one ofmany AFPC programs that can be accessed electron-ically through the vMPF Web site.

Airmen can also use vMPF to update assignmentpreferences, correct military records, verify retire-ment eligibility, request retraining, and performother personnel actions. AFPC is working to improveits processes to ensure more personnel programsare accessible online.

For more information on the BOP program or thenew online application process, call the Total ForceService Center at (800) 525-0102.

Base of preference requests now initiated through vMPF

TALESPINNERPAGE 10 SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

TALESPINNERPAGE 12 SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

By Mike JosephStaff Writer

Baby boomers remember exactly where theywere and what they were doing when PresidentJohn F. Kennedy was assassinated on that horrificafternoon of Nov. 22, 1963 in Dallas.

Today’s generation have embedded in their mindsthe morning of Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorismreared up and left a mark on this country never tobe forgotten.

It happened eight years ago today, and Col. ShaneCourville can recall those events in vivid detail like it

was yesterday.That’s because Colonel Courville, 737th Training

Group commander, sat right next to PresidentGeorge W. Bush in the United States StrategicCommand command center at Offutt Air Force Base,Neb., as the events of that infamous day unfolded.

“It was an amazing thing,” said Colonel Courville.“It was amazing to be a part of it, it was amazing towatch; you never really had an opportunity to think,you’re just reacting.”

When he went home on Sept. 10, 2001, little didthe Louisiana native know what loomed on the hori-zon. And he certainly had no inclination that his next

encounter with the President of the United Stateswould be in less than 24 hours and not in therelaxed manner of three months prior.

In June 2001, President Bush landed at Offutt toattend the College World Series, where he wouldthrow out the first pitch. Colonel Courville, alongwith his then 10-year-old son, was among the crowdjamming the barricades at Offutt to welcome thePresident. His son managed to get President Bush’sattention and have him autograph a small Americanflag that had been passed out to the well-wishers.

Colonel Courville’s next interaction would beunder the most extreme of circumstances, 60 feet

8th Anniversary of 9/11 recalls vivid memories

Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Michael CardenAn entry stone at the Pentagon Memorial lists the names of 184 victims -– 125 Pentagon employees and 59 American Airlines Flight 77 passengers -- who lost their livesduring the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

PAGE 13TALESPINNERSEPTEMBER 11, 2009

under ground in a command center as a nation sat paralyzed by the day’sevents.

The morning of 9/11 was normal enough for the colonel. Offutt was in themiddle of a major exercise, Global Guardian, and the colonel (a major then) wasworking 12-hour shifts in aircraft operations. When he left the night before,everything was fine with the annual exercise.

“I was scheduled to go in a little later that day (9/11),” he said. “I saw my kidsoff to school and then started seeing news reports like most of America did. Ishared the same feeling most Americans did: ‘What’s going on here?’”

It wasn’t long before his beeper went off, recalling him to the base.“I really couldn’t absorb what was going on because one of the jobs I did, not

with the exercise but in real world happenings, was as a special category officerof classified information,” Colonel Courville said. “Highly classified information,well above the top secret level, was coming in and I had to retrieve them andpass them on to Admiral Mies (STRATCOM Commander in Chief Adm. RichardMies).”

Arriving at the base, he was unsure of what was happening other than whathe’d seen on television. Throughout the morning, more and more highly classi-fied messages kept coming in, an indication that President Bush could be comingto Offutt.

When the World Trade Center and Pentagon were attacked, President Bushwas in Florida. The President’s advisors immediately sent him to Barksdale AFB,La., where Air Force One barely touched down before the decision was made tohead for Nebraska.

“We were preparing in the event President Bush showed up,” said ColonelCourville about the early afternoon. “I was in this special area retrieving mes-sages when the next thing I observed was a Secret Service agent coming in as Iwas walking down the hallway to the command center.

“Then came President Bush and another Secret Service agent, and I followedthem into the command center. There were about 100 people inside and eightgiant screens tracking what was happening.”

He said once inside, President Bush was briefed. Colonel Courville satbetween the president and Admiral Mies; his job was to control the classifiedmessages and relay that information to the appropriate party.

About the time the briefing was completed, the command center watched

hijacked Flight 93 go down in Pennsylvania on one of its screens. The center wasa whirl of activity, tracking every flight in the country still in the air as well asinternational flights being diverted to Canada and Mexico.

In addition, the center was constantly communicating with Vice PresidentDick Cheney, the National Security Council and President Bush’s advisors. Andyet, amid the commotion, Colonel Courville felt secure.

“There were occasions I did think about my family but I always felt they weresafe,” he said. “Everybody’s attention was on the East and West Coasts, not inthe heartland of America. In my mind, I felt everybody here was safe.”

He said one of his reassurances of safety was President Bush’s advisors keptinsisting he stay at Offutt. “They were hesitant to bring him back (to Washing-ton) at the time,” he explained.

But more than that, it was the President’s demeanor.“The whole time he was in the command center, his reaction (to the day’s

events) was that he was very much in control,” said Colonel Courville. “Younever saw him act anything other than presidential. Even when I had a privatediscussion with him and Admiral Mies to show him classified information, hejust took it and thanked me.”

He said President Bush was insistent on returning to Washington in spite ofwhat was happening.

“My impression was no one, no terrorist, was going to keep him from wherehe felt he belonged after what had occurred throughout the day,” ColonelCourville said. “Against everyone’s advice, he was adamant he was going back tothe White House to run this country and do the job he was supposed to do. Thatwas really telling as I sat there and listened to him.

“When he went to leave the command center, he stopped, turned around, andtold Vice President Cheney (by video conference) that he was with 100 of thefinest Americans around and he thanked us for what we did.”

Escorted by eight fighters, Air Force One with President Bush aboard headedback to Washington to deal with the matters at hand.

Reflecting back, Colonel Courville said he was moved by the way the Presidentconducted himself during his three-hour stay at Offutt.

“It inspired all of us because he was very commander-in-chief like,” he said.“You could tell the determination in his face. After he was gone, (the Presidentgave the impression) you (al- Qaida) may have got us in a roundabout way, butyou’re going to pay for what you did to us.

“I thought (the President conveyed he) owed it to the people who were killedto make sure their deaths were not in vain. I had this extreme sense of pride inmy commander-in-chief. I could have cared less if he was Democrat orRepublican, that’s how I felt about him as a person and a commander.”

And the rest is history.

Courtesy Photo President George W. Bush and Admiral Richard Mies (right) conduct a video telecon-ference at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, Sept. 11, 2001.

Photo by Capt. Jim Fabio The United States flag is cast against a backdrop of destruction caused by the attack onthe Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11. Air Force Airmenjoined other workers in helping to clear the rubble and search for survivors.

TALESPINNERPAGE 14 SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (AFNS) – Defense Department fed-eral employees could receive up to 26 weeks ofunpaid leave to care for a military family memberinjured in the line of duty if an Office of PersonnelManagement proposal is adopted.

The proposal would allow eligible federal employ-ees to take 26 “administrative work weeks” providedfor under the Family and Medical Leave Act to carefor a servicemember wounded in the line of duty,OPM officials explained.

The provision would extend to families of NationalGuard members or reservists injured while on activeduty, explained Jerry Mikowicz, the OPM deputyassociate director for pay and leave administration.

To qualify, the federal employee must be thespouse, child, parent, or next of kin of the service-member declared medically unfit to serve, he said.

The OPM proposal also would allow agencies to

advance up to 30 days of sick leave to federal work-ers who care for wounded military family members.

OPM also has recommended other sick-leave regu-lation changes to help agencies better plan for out-breaks of pandemic influenza or other serious com-municable diseases.

The proposed rule would allow for agencies toadvance up to 13 days of sick leave to care for a fam-ily member who has been exposed to a serious com-municable disease and who health authorities saidwould jeopardize others’ health. Federal employeesalso could receive up to 30 days of advanced sickleave if they are exposed to or stricken by a commu-nicable disease that could be further spread in theworkplace, Mr. Mikowicz said.

The OPM proposals were published in the FederalRegister Aug. 26, and the public will have 60 days tocomment on them. OPM officials will review the com-ments before issuing a final rule, which will proceedthrough the regulatory process required before it isimplemented, Mr. Mikowicz said.

Proposed leave rule would provide for warrior care

Lackland Conservation CornerEVERY DROP COUNTS!

Water lawns during the early morninghours, or evening when temperaturesand wind speed are the lowest. Thisreduces losses from evaporation.Report water waste to the Water

Conservation Hotline at 671-SAVE.

PAGE 15TALESPINNERSEPTEMBER 11, 2009

get the vaccine, whetherat DOD medical facilitiesor off post, DoctorHachey said.

The CDC has estab-lished target groups forthose at greatest risk fortransmitting or beingaffected by the H1N1.They include pregnantwomen, health-careworkers, those youngerthan 25 or older than 65,and those with pre-exist-ing health conditions.

Doctor Hachey saidprevious plans are serv-ing DOD well.

“We have been pre-paring for pandemic flubecause of its potentialimpact on the mission,”he said.

The symptoms of theH1N1 flu are almost thesame as the seasonal flu:fever, sore throat, runnynose, nausea, muscleaches and feeling run-down.

The 2009 H1N1 virus– formerly known asswine flu – is a pandemicvirus, according to theWorld Health Organiza-tion.

U.S. officials call thevirus “troubling” andurge communities acrossthe United States to takeactions to mitigate theeffects of it. The federalgovernment is urgingstates and municipalitiesto begin preparing nowfor the fall flu season.

President Obama add-ressed the H1N1 pan-demic following a WhiteHouse meeting Sept. 1.

“As I said when wesaw the first cases of thisvirus back in the spring,I don’t want anybody tobe alarmed, but I dowant everybody to beprepared,” he said. “Weknow that we usually geta second, larger wave ofthese flu viruses in thefall, and so responseplans have been put inplace across all levels ofgovernment.”

But government can-not do it all, and theAmerican people have aresponsibility to stop thespread of the disease,President Obama said.“We need families andbusinesses to ensure thatthey have plans in placeif a family member, a

child or a co-worker con-tracts the flu and needsto stay home.

“And most important-ly, we need everyone toget informed about indi-vidual risk factors, andwe need everyone to takethe common-sense stepsthat we know can makea difference.

“Stay home if you’resick. Wash your handsfrequently. Cover yoursneezes with your sleeve,not your hands. And takeall the necessary precau-tions to stay healthy. Iknow it sounds simple,but it’s important and itworks.”

The H1N1 is a never-before-seen combinationof human, swine andavian flu viruses, officialssaid.

First detected inMexico in February, itquickly spread aroundthe world. According toJuly WHO statistics,there have been 94,512H1N1 cases worldwide,and 429 people havedied from it. In theUnited States, 33,902contracted H1N1, and170 have died.

H1N1 from P3

Be Responsible! Seat Belts Save Lives!Buckle Up And Wear Yours!

TALESPINNERPAGE 16 SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

LABOR DAY JAMMIN’

Photo by Robbin CresswellChief Master Sgt. Jay Simon, the new 37th Training Wing command chief, addressesthe crowd at the Labor Day Jam Sunday. The Labor Day Jam gave basic trainees andtechnical students a break from their routine with an afternoon of food, music and fun.

PAGE 17TALESPINNERSEPTEMBER 11, 2009

CHAPEL SERVICESChristianCatholicMonday-Friday:WHMC ChapelMass, 11 a.m

Wednesday-Friday:Freedom ChapelMass, 11:30 a.m.

Saturday:Freedom ChapelConfessions, 4:45 p.m.Mass, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday:Freedom ChapelReligious Education, 9 a.m.Mass, 11 a.m.

Hope ChapelHispanic Mass, 9:15 a.m.

Wilford Hall Medical Center ChapelMass, 3 p.m.

Orthodox Sunday:Airmen Memorial ChapelDivine Liturgy, 9:30 a.m.Religious Education, 10:45 a.m.

ProtestantSunday:Airmen Memorial ChapelLiturgical Service, 8 a.m.

Hope ChapelSpanish Contemporary, 12:45 p.m

Freedom ChapelContemporary Service, 9:30 a.m.Gospel Service, 12:30 p.m.Children’s Church providedReligious Education, 11 a.m.

Wednesday and Thursday:Bible Study, 6 p.m.

Sunday:Medina ChapelContemporary Service, 9 a.m.

WHMC ChapelTraditional Service, 1:30 p.m.

IslamicFriday:Defense Language InstituteStudent CenterFaith Study, 1:30 p.m.Jummah Prayer, 2 p.m.

JewishFriday:Airmen Memorial ChapelSabbath Eve Service, 6 p.m.

WiccaWednesday(1st only):Freedom Chap-el, Room 8, SanAntonio Military Open Circle, 6:30 p.m.

COMMUNITY

THRIFT SHOP BAG SALE

The Lackland Thrift Shop’s bagsale is Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The shop is open 9:30 a.m. tonoon on Mondays, 9:30 a.m. to 1p.m. for sales and 10 a.m. to noonfor consignments Tuesdays andWednesdays. Halloween consign-ments will be accepted throughWednesday.

Call the Thrift Shop at 671-3608 during non-business hoursfor the weekly list of items notbeing accepted or e-mailthriftshop@lacklandosc.org.

HYPERTENSION EDUCATION CLASS

A hypertension education classis Monday, 12:30-3:30 p.m., atWilford Hall Medical Center.

The class is open to any patientor family member interested inlearning more about hypertension.

For more information or to reg-ister, call the Nephrology Clinic at292-6868.

ENLISTED SPOUSES TO MEET

The Lackland Enlisted SpousesClub meeting is Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.,at Arnold Hall Community Centerfor a potluck dinner featuring sal-ads.

More information is available atthe club’s Web site, www.lacklandesc.org, or by calling at694-0718.

SKYLARK CC FLEA MARKET

The Skylark Community Centerflea market is Saturday, 8:30 a.m.to 1:30 p.m., at the WarhawkFitness Center parking lot.

Spots are available for $10 or$15. The $15 fee includes a table.

Call the community center at671-3191 for more information.

SISD MENTOR TRAINING

Mentor training for theSouthwest Independent SchoolDistrict is Thursday, 9-11 a.m., inthe Fiesta Room at the Skylark

Community Center.Contact Sally Sobey at 977-

5563 for more information.

LOCAL EMPLOYMENT CLASS

A “How to Apply for LocalEmployment” class by the Airmanand Family Readiness Flight isWednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,Bldg. 1249.

A representative will speak onapplying for local federal positions.In addition, Army and Air ForceExchange and Non-AppropriatedFunds human resources represen-tatives will also be part of theclass.

For more information or to signup, contact Tim Walker at 671-3722.

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES CLASS

The Airman and FamilyReadiness Flight’s interview tech-niques class is Thursday, 2-4 p.m.,Bldg. 1249.

Interviewing styles, questions toexpect and how to dress will beincluded in the class.

Contact the AFRF to enroll at671-3722.

SPOUSES’ CLUB SCHEDULES MEETINGThe Lackland Officers’ Spouses’

Club meeting is Thursday, 11 a.m.to 1 p.m., at the Gateway Club. Theluncheon is a membershiproundup; club membership is free.

Upcoming functions for the clubinclude day and night bunko, lunchbunch, supper club, mahjong andbook club.

For more information, call 372-

0657 or e-mail lacklandosc.org.

PEDIATRIC DENTAL SCREENINGS

The Lackland Pediatric DentalDepartment is providing drop-indental screenings for childrenunder 13 in September andOctober.

The screening will offer opinionsand treatment recommendations oralternatives but no orthodonticevaluation. A copy of the child’streatment plan or referral letterfrom their dentist is required.

The screenings will be offered

LocalBRIEFS

To see menus forLackland dining

halls, go online towww.lackland.af.mil and click on

the “Services” link.

See BRIEFS P18

For more information, contact the chapel staff:

Freedom Chapel671-4208

Gateway Chapel671-2911

Hope Chapel671-2941

Wilford Hall MedicalCenter Chapel

292-7373

TALESPINNERPAGE 18 SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

Sept. 16, Oct. 7 and Oct. 21 in theLonghorn Room of the SkylarkCommunity Center, 8-11 a.m.

For more information, contactStaff Sgt. Dianet Santos at 671-9876.

MYSTERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Lackland library interactiveadult mystery program needs volun-teers for its Sept. 18 event, “MysteryUnder the Big Top,” 6:15-8 p.m. Theaudience, all suspects, will have anopportunity to solve the murder mys-tery. Light refreshments will also beserved.

For more information, contactKaren Allen-Mirabeau at 671-3610or 671-2678.

AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM

The Lackland Retirees ActivitiesOffice is sponsoring a safe driverprogram by the American Associationof Retired Persons Sept. 19, 9 a.m.to 1 p.m., at Freedom Chapel.

Participants will receive a certifi-cate for completing the class, whichmakes them eligible for a possiblereduction in their automobile insur-ance premium. The course is goodfor three years.

Cost is $12 for AARP membersand $14 for non-members, payableby check made to AARP.

For more information, contact theRetirees Activities Office at 671-2728 or B.J. Laymon at FreedomChapel, 671-4208.

MILITARY JOB FAIR

The San Antonio MilitaryCommunity Job Fair is Sept. 23, 9:30a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Live Oak CivicCenter, junction Interstate 35 Northand Pat Booker Road. More than 100local and national companies from across section of occupational careerswill be on site.

The San Antonio Area MilitaryInstallation Transition Assistanceand Career Focus programs, theAlamo chapter of Disabled AmericanVeterans and the Texas Workforce

Commission are the event sponsors.Admission to the fair is free.

LACKLAND SAFETY AWARDS

Nominations are being acceptedthrough Sept. 21 for the quarterlyLackland Safety Awards.

The program is designed toacknowledge persons and units fortheir contributions to mishap pre-vention through sustained superiorperformance.

For more information and nomi-nation forms, contact Staff Sgt.Bilma Romero in the Lackland SafetyOffice, 671-3969.

SKYLARK CC COLLECTIBLES SHOW

A collectibles show for sports,movie and toy memorablia is Oct. 24,9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the SkylarkCommunity Center. Vendor spots areavailable for $10 to the first 30 reg-istered and paid. For more informa-tion, call 671-3191.

BRIEFS from P17GATEWAY THEATERFRIDAYThe Ugly Truth, 6 p.m. (R), starringKatherine Heigl and Gerard Butler.

SATURDAYAliens In The Attic, noon (PG), star-ring Ashley Tisdale and RobertHoffman.The Hurt Locker, 3 p.m. (R), starringJeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie.Funny People, 6 p.m. (R), starringAdam Sandler and Seth Rogen.

SUNDAYFunny People, noon (R).The Hurt Locker, 3 p.m. (R).

THURSDAYThe Hurt Locker, 4 p.m. (R).

For more information and futuremovie listings, go to www.aafes.com/ems/conus/lackland.htm.

Adults – $4. Children – $2.

Closed Monday through Wednesday.

The Ugly Truth

Aliens In The Attic

The Hurt Locker

Funny People

PAGE 19TALESPINNERSEPTEMBER 11, 2009

SSCCOORREEBBOOAARRDD

SPORTS

National Conference W L

1. IAAFA 1 02. 737th TRG 1 03. 93rd IS 1 04. CPSG 1 05. CES 1 16. AFIOC 1 17. 345th TRS 1 18. 59th MLRS 1 19. Sec. Forces 0 110. 37th COMM 0 111. NIOC 0 2

Sept. 2- 59th MLRS 21, CES 0345th TRS 6, NIOC 0CPSG 13, 37th COMM 0737th TRG 29, AFIOC 6

American Conference W L

1. 341st TRS 1 02. 342nd TRS 1 03. 314th MI Bn 1 04. 59th EMS 1 05. Dental 0 06. DLI 0 07. Clinical Spt Gp 0 08. 37th LRS 0 19. 543rd Spt Sq 0 110. 344th TRS 0 111. Force Support Sq. 0 1

Sept. 1-341st TRS 8, 543rd Spt Sq 0314th MI Bn 12, Force Spt Sq 2342nd TRS 12, 37th LRS59th EMS 7, 344th TRS 6

Over-35 W L

1. 737th TRG 2 02. Sec. Forces 2 03. 149th FW 2 14. CPSG 1 15. Force Spt Sq 0 06. CES 0 17. 543rd ISR 0 28. 433rd AW 0 2

Aug. 25-149th FW 26, 543rd ISR 5149th FW 17, 433rd AW 8Sec. Forces 23, CPSG 7737th TRG 12, CES 5

Coed W L

1. Force Spt Sq 3 02. CPSG 2 13. LAB 2 14. 37th MDG 2 15. Sec. Forces 2 16. 59th EMS 1 27. 93rd IS 0 38. 314th MI Bn 0 3

Brian Hansberry37th TRW/PA

Last week: 0-0Season: 0-0

(.000)

Steve ReichertFitness & Sports Dir.

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(.000)

Patrick DesmondTalespinner Sports

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PlusGridlocks

MinnesotaDallas

NY GiantsGreen Bay

Philadelphia NY Jets

New England

MinnesotaDallas

NY GiantsChicago

PhiladelphiaHouston

New England

NFLMinnesota at Cleveland SundayDallas at Tampa Bay SundayWashington at NY Giants SundayChicago at Green Bay SundayPhiladelphia at Carolina SundayNY Jets at Houston SundayBuffalo at New England Monday

Guest PicksTake on the Gridlocks panel bycontacting the Talespinner at

talespinner@lackland.af.mil Staff Sgt. Carl Little737th TRSS

MinnesotaDallas

NY GiantsGreen Bay

PhiladelphiaNY Jets

New England

MinnesotaTampa BayWashingtonGreen BayCarolina Houston

New England

MinnesotaTampa BayWashingtonGreen Bay

PhiladelphiaHouston

New England

Dwayne ReedVarsity Sports Dir. Last week: 0-0

Season: 0-0(.000)

WORLD CLASS TThhoorrnnee’’ss CCuuppSoldier’s two-round145 wins coursechampionship

FOOTBALL

SOFTBALL

With Labor Day weekend camethe 2009 Gateway Hills golfcourse’s championship, a two-day,36-hole stroke-play event featuringfive flights and 45 competitors.

The 314th Military IntelligenceBattalion’s Brian Thorne, 29, wonthe championship flight.

“I attribute my victory to my coachback home and all the time and patience hehad with my game,” Thorne said. His two-round 149 bested Eric McJunkins’ 152.Fort Sam Houston’s Mike Arnold shot athird-place 154. A new championship tro-phy, the “Thorne Cup,” was commissionedas a result of his victory.

“We want to bring some history to thecourse,” director of golf Craig Brooks said.“Our course is 57 years old and we’d like to show all thepast winners for posterity sake. The new (cup) has roomfor the past 56 champions and is quite impressive.”

Other flight winners included: Juan Trevino (men’s first),Hulishiel Johnson (men’s second), David Murchison (senior)and John Kinney (super senior).

(Courtesy of the Gateway Hills Golf Course)

Gridlocks Guest

Photo by AlanBoedeker

Eric McJunkinsfinished insecond placewith a 152.

Photo by Senior Airman Denise RodriguezLackland’s varsity women’s softball team competed in the U.S.Slowpitch Softball Association’s Military World Tournament in PanamaCity, Fla., placing third overall in the August competition. Lacklanddefeated the P.T. Brewers from Jacksonville, N.C., the Lady Sharksfrom Patrick AFB, Fla., and the Kentucky Ballers from Fort Knox, Ky.,to win third place. The 37th Training Wing command recognized theteam’s successful tournament run after it returned home. Pictured fromleft to right are Fitness and Sports director Steve Reichert, right fielderLaura Newburg, left-center fielder Celsa Salazar, first baseman PamFiorito, 37th TRW commander Col. William H. Mott V, varsity softballcoach J.J. Rady, right-center fielder Cynthia Fleming, varsity sportsdirector Dwayne Reed, catcher Jenafer Webb, second baseman MeliaSherman and alternate second baseman Tara Gouveia. Fleming, Fioritoand Catrina Harden earned all-tournament team honors.

TALESPINNERPAGE 20 SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

Photo illustration and story by Patrick DesmondSports Editor

Lackland is sending quite a bevy of athletes tothis year’s Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, Sept. 19.

Filling out this year’s squad are Airmen fromsomewhat different athletic pursuits including twoArmed Forces competitors in marathon runnerZachary Foulk and Ironman Anthony Milunas.

Foulk and Infinity Smith will be running withTeam Lackland for the second time while Johnny

Phelps, Maria Miranda and Milunas are all new-comers to the Air Force event.

Phelps and Smith will be taking on the fullmarathon, and Miranda, Foulk and Milunas willrun the half-marathon.

Foulk is using the half-marathon at Wright-Patterson as a springboard for the Armed ForcesMarathon on Oct. 24, but last year’s top militaryrunner is no less likely to give it his all.

“This year I am definitely in much better shapethan last year,” Foulk said. “I should have runfaster last year.”

Milunas is running the half-marathon in antici-pation of the Ford Ironman Florida Nov. 7, anevent in which one third of the competition is amarathon.

This is Smith’s second year running themarathon – a feat she said is one of her greatestathletic accomplishments to date.

Though taking on Wright-Patterson’s asphaltfor the first time, Phelps and Miranda both bringwith them the experience of pounding SanAntonio’s pavement at its inaugural Rock ‘N’ Rollmarathon last year.

VARSITY BASKETBALL TRYOUTS

Lackland’s four-time Southwest MilitaryBasketball League champion varsity team isholding open tryouts Monday-Friday, 6-8:30p.m., at the Chaparral Fitness Center.

For more information, contact the sportsoffice at 671-2725.

GOLF DEMO DAY

The Gateway Hills Golf Course pro shop isholding commercial golf gear product demon-strations Sept. 26 at the driving range. Salesrepresentatives will answer questions between9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

For more details, call 671-3466.

GATEWAY HALF-MARATHONLackland’s inaugural Gateway Half-

Marathon is Oct. 24 at 8 a.m. Registration isopen to all Department of Defense cardholdersand their guests. The day’s other eventsinclude a 10K and 5K run.

For more details, call 671-2725.

ROLLER HOCKEY

People interested in participating in rollerhockey pickup games at the Gillum FitnessCenter can contact Airman 1st Class JesseThompson at 671-3934.

Courts at the Gillum Fitness Center areused on a first-come, first-served basis.

BBRRIIEEFFSS

Lackland’s five: BBaassee mmaarraatthhoonn tteeaamm sshhaarreessmmoottiivvaattiioonn ffoorr eenndduurraannccee rruunnnniinnggJOHNNY PHELPSROBERT D. GAYLORNCO ACADEMY

AAGGEE--48,HHTT--5-9,WWTT--160

ZACHARY FOULK37TH LOGISTICS READINESS SQUADRONAAGGEE--27, HHTT--5-8, WWTT--135

INFINITY SMITH59TH CLINICAL RESEARCH DIVISIONAAGGEE--32, HHTT--5-2, WWTT--132

“Because the AirForce demands that I

am always at myfittest level, I improvemyself by competing

in marathons.”

“Because the AirForce demands that I

am always at myfittest level, I improvemyself by competing

in marathons.”

“I usually startwondering if I’mgoing to finish a

marathonaround mile 18.This is when the

challenge isagainst myselfrather than the

road.”

“I usually startwondering if I’mgoing to finish a

marathonaround mile 18.This is when the

challenge isagainst myselfrather than the

road.”

“The military hasbeen a great way

for me to keepmentally, physi-cally and spiritu-ally grounded. Ilook at running

as a way ofdealing with life.”

“The military hasbeen a great way

for me to keepmentally, physi-cally and spiritu-ally grounded. Ilook at running

as a way ofdealing with life.”

“You block out thepain. You work sohard toward a goalthat there’s nothingthat’s going to notlet you accomplishyour goal that day.”

“You block out thepain. You work sohard toward a goalthat there’s nothingthat’s going to notlet you accomplishyour goal that day.”

Lackland’s five:ANTHONY MILUNAS342ND TRAINING SQUADRONAAGGEE--40, HHTT--5-10, WWTT--155

MARIA MIRANDAINTER-AMERICAN AIR FORCES ACADEMYAAGGEE--30, HHTT--5-3,WWTT--124

“I am running a marathonto win it, not just to be able

to say, ‘hey i ran thismarathon,’ which is totallyadmirable...That’s the only

reason I’m out there.”

“I am running a marathonto win it, not just to be able

to say, ‘hey I ran thismarathon,’ which is totallyadmirable...That’s the only

reason I’m out there.”

BBaassee mmaarraatthhoonn tteeaamm sshhaarreessmmoottiivvaattiioonn ffoorr eenndduurraannccee rruunnnniinngg